The island of Delos, Mykonos' historic neighbour

Originally, Delos was a drifting island, a piece of Sicily almost entirely covered by the waves. According to legend, Leto, pregnant by Zeus, tried to escape the wrath of Hera, the wife of the King of Olympus. Known for her zealous jealousy, Hera gave Leto no respite. She ordered a giant snake called Python to hunt down Letot, who threw herself into the sea in despair.

It was precisely on the spot it occupies today that the course of Delos once crossed that of Leto, who miraculously found refuge on the islet. For the ancient Greeks, the surrounding islands were organised in concentric circles around Delos, earning the archipelago the name Cyclades(Kyklades in Greek).

The small island was the birthplace of two major figures in the Greek pantheon: the divine twins Artemis, goddess of nature and the hunt, and Apollo, god of beauty and light. All the ingredients for a bright future in Delos!

Despite its small size, Delos played a major role in the history of ancient Greece. As early as the Archaic period (7th and 6th centuries BC), a major sanctuary dedicated to Apollo developed, and the island's inhabitants prospered thanks to trade: the central position of Delos was a major advantage on the sea routes of the time.

However, very early on it was forbidden not only to be born there, but also to die there. In a bid to impose its authority on Delos, Athens even purified the sanctuary of Apollo several times, transferring the dead to the neighbouring island of Rhenaeus! During the classical period (5th century BC), Athens, strengthened by its victories over the Persians, founded the League of Delos. The sacred island became a symbol of Athenian domination over ancient Greece. It was even completely emptied of its inhabitants!

Subsequently, Delos regained its independence and influence: a religious centre, the city also became a commercial power, while developing its temples and monuments. The population of Delos is estimated to have been 25,000 in the 2nd century BC, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the Cyclades!

In 1846, French archaeologists from the Ecole d'Athènes 'discovered' the remains of Delos, and at the same time, one of the most exceptional sites in Greece. All this just a stone's throw from Mykonos!

The archaeological treasures of Delos will leave a lasting impression: the sanctuary of Apollo and the temple of Artemis, the Terrace of the Lions, the Theatre of Delos, the House of the Dolphins, the climb to Cynthe, the highest point on the island (112 metres)...

The site is quite simply exceptional, and makes for a splendid walk through the remains of the ancient city. To complete the excursion, the Archaeological Museum of Delos exhibits many of the archaeological treasures found during the excavations.

Add to this the setting offered by Delos, and you have one of the most breathtaking sites in Greece! For a change from beach days on Mykonos, a trip to Delos is simply a must.